Jan 01, 2009
Embracing Our Future
Randal A. Simonetti, President & CEO
In the evolution of every successful organization, there are times when it becomes obvious that repeating strategies from the past won’t allow you to attain the vision of a future you aspire to achieve. In 2009, the Upstate New York Chapter will re-invent its core strategies in both program delivery and fundraising in its quest to make a significant difference in the lives of people and families living with MS.
The Upstate New York Chapter has been nationally recognized for the quality and diversity of programs we have developed and delivered over the years. We have consistently led the nation in the creation of unique and innovative programs for our clients across the 50 counties we serve. After a complete analysis of program development and program delivery we have concluded that many of the general MS educational programs are now much more effectively delivered through the internet, our website and/or collateral material we provide to clients and their families.
In 2009, we will focus on the innovative programs our clients have told us they need today and into the foreseeable future. These programs will include:
- Family and couple’s retreats which provide an opportunity to learn about new therapies, disease management strategies, exercise alternatives, and cutting edge information to help clients make better decisions about their care. Retreats also provide a chance to make new friends and share experiences about living with MS while providing respite to caregivers.
- Enhance our research update and symptom management workshops as well as our traditional recreation, physical and occupational therapy sessions.
- Continue to focus on care management and develop life strategies to help clients enhance their specific lifestyle.
- Provide resources to assist with adaptive equipment and home modifications.
We also completed a comprehensive study of our fundraising operations and will focus our event management teams on the events that reach the greatest target audiences while providing the ability to present these events in a high quality, safe and cost effective manner. In 2009, the success of the Walk MS and Bike MS will be the primary focus of the Upstate New York Chapter. In addition, we will continue to enhance the gala and business luncheon events in Albany, Rochester and Buffalo while maintaining our very successful Golf for MS event in the Western New York area. (Click here for a list of our events.)
Finally, we will continue to work closely with the many wonderful people who conduct their own special MS events around the state. These third party events are critically important to the chapter’s long-term success and we encourage people who want to do something about MS now to consider participating in an existing event or creating their own fundraising event in support of this critical mission.
The chapter will also enhance its sports marketing programs to include all of the Upstate New York minor league baseball teams, professional hockey, basketball and the Team Up 4 MS program with the Buffalo Bills. We will continue to build our foundation grant writing function and, together with our board of directors, kick off a new and enhanced Circle of Hope campaign to attract philanthropists who can make a significant contribution in support of the chapter’s client programs and our on-going investment in world-wide research to find a cause, better treatments and a cure for this unpredictable disease.
On behalf of our 12,000 clients and their families, staff, board of directors and the hundreds of program and fundraising volunteers and contributors, we declare that failure is not an option, giving up is not in our vocabulary and creating a world free of MS is what we aspire to achieve.
To learn more about the Upstate New York Chapter or to become a part of this important movement, please call us today at 1-800-FIGHT MS and press option 2. You will be connected to our local office and people who are ready to help you do something about MS now.